All Chapters of Choose Pain Over Love: Chapter 1 - Chapter 10

The dark room was thick with the scent of herbs and dust. A white-haired witch placed an ancient-looking bone ring in front of me."You know the price of this thing, don't you? Once you wear it, the bond between mates will be severed gradually over five days. However, the process is painful. You'll feel as though your heart is being ripped out while still alive. The process is also irreversible," the witch warned.Her clouded eyes were filled with obvious contempt as they swept over me."You naive fools always end up crying on your knees at my feet, begging me to take the ring off. You won't be any different. Are you sure you want to buy it?" the witch added.I felt a phantom ache in my chest at her words. Still, I simply took a deep breath and handed over the locked case of cash I had prepared in advance. It held all of my savings."I'm sure," I answered.The witch snorted derisively. Then, she tossed the bone ring to me with careless ease.Just as I was about to step out the d

My appearance brought the lively atmosphere in the living room to an abrupt halt.Angelina immediately walked over to me. With a perfectly measured smile, she said, "Luna, you're here! Come in—just treat it like your own home. They've been making a fuss all morning about wanting to eat your pancakes. I really need to learn how to make them from you."I didn't respond. I simply walked past Angelina and headed for the kitchen.Her smile faltered for a moment. Then, she turned to Ethan, looking slightly aggrieved."Did I say something wrong, Alpha? Luna Tori… She doesn't seem to like me very much. I just want to get along with her," Angelina whined.Ethan's expression changed instantly. His once-gentle features turned cold, and his gaze fell on me like ice.I lowered my eyes and said nothing. In these five years, I had lived through this scene too many times to count.Angelina gently leaned against his side and softly added, "Chester still loves his mommy's cooking. I could never m

The pain of having his soul torn apart almost caused Ethan to collapse on the spot. He could feel his wolf howling in agony.While clutching his chest tightly, Ethan was gasping violently for breath. Cold sweat dripped from his forehead.But he was, after all, an Alpha.After only a moment of losing control, Ethan forcibly suppressed the pain that had pierced deep into his very bones. His face had also gone pale from the pain. Despite this, he donned his usual glacial expression as he slowly straightened up.Ethan stared at me in disbelief. His gaze shifted from horror to scrutiny."Our mate bond is broken…" he said.His voice was hoarse. Ethan narrowed his eyes at me and asked, "Is this your doing?"I met his gaze and calmly answered, "Yes."The final trace of warmth vanished from Ethan's gaze. It was replaced with a seething rage that was born from being betrayed and provoked. Yet, he laughed. It sounded cold and sharp."Fine. Very well. Since you're leaving, don't ever come

Another month had passed, and all traces of my existence seemed to have been deliberately erased.The villa was filled with things Angelina liked. These items were luxurious, but cold. They didn't have a hint of the feeling of a warm home.Ethan still buried himself in endless work, using it to numb himself. However, every day he returned to the villa later and later.Meanwhile, Chester had become increasingly quiet and taciturn. The arrogance and carefree smile he once wore had completely vanished.One day, Ethan came home earlier than usual. Out of habit, he walked toward the study. However, as he passed Chester's room, he heard faint sobbing coming from inside. Frowning, Ethan pushed open the door only to find Chester sitting on the carpet.Chester was clumsily applying medicine to a wound on his arm. Tears were streaming down his face. Yet, he didn't dare cry out loud. His small arm was covered in dark bruises, and new wounds covered old ones. It was shocking to look at.Etha

Ethan didn't leave. He and Chester checked into a nearby inn.From that day on, my apothecary received two regular visitors every day. They never bought anything—just sat silently in the corner the entire afternoon.Ethan still wore his expensive suits. He looked completely out of place perched on a small wooden stool. He no longer ordered me to go home with him. He simply watched me, looking as though he wanted to say something but didn't know how to begin.Chester, on the other hand, sat beside Ethan holding a toy. He would play with it absentmindedly.Life in this small town continued peacefully, and my daily routine remained unchanged.Like usual, I opened the shop, closed it, gathered herbs, and made remedies. The entire time, I treated them as though they were air.This strange routine continued for a week.That was, until one day, when a little girl ran in, proudly holding up a drawing. She often came by the shop to play."Look, Tori! I drew my mommy. She's the one who